One of San Anto Cultural Arts' favorite traditions is our annual Dia de los Muertos Barrio Procession with the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative, Inner City Development, and San Jacinto Senior Home honoring victims of domestic violence within our community. This year, in addition to honoring those whose lives have been touched by violence, San Anto will also be blessing and dedicating the restoration of the Nicho para la Virgen de Guadalupe located at the San Jacinto Senior Center.
Access to art is limited for some, and I don’t completely understand why. It’s a huge misconception to think art can only be produced by a certain type of people, from a certain place, and must be validated by some unknown. Everyone should have access to a creative outlet. In understanding this, I see the students at San Anto as being lucky. Creative people surround them, include them, and teach them. We show them how to engage their creativity in ways that empower them. To empower these students is my main goal, regardless of what form it may come in. That is why I hang out with them, why I share with them. A lot of the time minorities get the short end of the stick, and I want to make sure that’s not the case with them.
We live in a capitalistic society, where our desire for tangible things sometimes takes the front seat. Advertising is geared at youth, preying on them, making them think they must have the next digital-megablitz-talking-gadget, while at the same time our environment is crumbling around us. I wanted to communicate to the students the theory of DIY and reuse in a way that would be interesting for them. In making the juice box cameras, I feel as if all of the things I wished to say was communicated. They can make something by their own hand, from recycled materials, which can be of use, and they didn’t have to buy it. They can take a photograph that details they’re creative and artistic side. They were able to sit down, follow instruction, successfully produce, and walk away with a newfound knowledge, without breaking a sweat. That sounds empowering to me.
The mentors of our community have a big job. We are responsible for getting rid of the bad, and securing the good of our community, in order to pass it on to the next generation. I hope one of these days the students fully realize that, and they will participate in the same cycle of mentoring."
